Teaching Experience

Graduate Teaching Assistant (350 seats) - Fall 2026

Co-Instructor (75 seats) - Spring 2027

Course Description: This course examines the importance of natural resources and their role in the progress of human civilization. Physical, biological and ecological principles are described that underlie sustainability of natural resources, particularly as these relate to the consequence of human impacts as resources are used to meet societal needs. The course emphasizes renewable natural resources, the importance of habitat, and a broadly-international context. The course has an optimistic perspective that life on Earth can and will be better in the future if we learn and practice good resource management today.

Instructor (15-20 seats) - Fall 2024, Fall 2025, Fall 2026

Course Description: BSC 305 is designed to help students (1) begin to appreciate the variety of career opportunities in the life sciences, (2) build professional portfolio materials they can develop during their college career, and (3) develop skills and confidence needed to pursue opportunities relevant to their professional goals. The course will combine lectures, in-class and small-group activities, homework, and small independent projects outside of class time. 

Responsibilities:

• Update course materials to best suit the intended career paths of students each term

• Coordinate with guest speakers to provide students with additional topics including college success and wellbeing, financial wellness and literacy, and undergraduate research

• Connect students to alumni in their respective interests to gain insight into possible future careers

• Teach students resume and cover letter/personal statement design through classroom discussions and games

Graduate Teaching Assistant (22 seats) - Spring 2022, Spring 2023

Course Description: This laboratory course serves to introduce interested students to today's captive animal conservation efforts from the perspective of NC facilities on the front lines. Through the lens of these nearby institutions, we will investigate in detail a variety of factors essential to the management of wild animals in a captive setting. We will take topics (history, population management, genetics, nutrition, education, conservation) from the lecture course and expand them as we focus on challenges unique to these local captive facilities. While some activities will take place on campus, a number of off-campus field trips are required, including one 3-day laboratory at North Carolina Zoo. We will return to campus most days within the scheduled time frame, however students should plan for the possibility that labs may go overtime on some occasions.

Responsibilities: 

• Teach students the essentials of evidence-based applications of captive animal conservation. Topics include education, population management, nutrition, husbandry, and reproduction across AZA affiliated zoos and aquariums

• Collaborate with facility staff to create presentations and materials for students enrolled in the course

• Create and modify assignments in coordination with staff at each targeted facility

• Manage transportation and communication with facility on scheduled labs

• Provide assessment and feedback to enrolled students.

Graduate Teaching Assistant (25 seats) - Summer 2023 Study Abroad Program "United Kingdom: STEM & Liberal Studies in London"

Course Description: This course is designed to explore the relationship humans share with other animals and nature. We will study the early history of animal domestication and the influence of animals on human culture and religion. We will also explore our relationships to animals as pets, food, research subjects, and wildlife. All subjects will be covered through interaction with guest speakers, assigned readings, case studies, and class discussion. The study abroad program also features field trips to local museums, Down House, and London Zoo.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with teaching students to explore the complex relationships between humans, animals, and nature. Topics include the history of animal domestication, influence of animals on human culture and religion, insights into animal agriculture, and the many relationships with animals as animals, food, research, and wildlife.

• Coordinate with other teaching faculty and the study abroad office to create and oversee student social events and outings

• Create community amongst the students enrolled in the program by providing optional board game nights or planned outings to monitor mental health and well-being of students

• Provide additional support to any students struggling with being abroad for an extended period of time

Graduate Teaching Assistant (4 lab sections of 25 students each) - Fall 2021, Summer 2022, Fall 2022, Fall 2023

Course Description: Introduction to ecology, evolution, and biodiversity within the context of structure and function including the adaptive strategies that organisms use to manage the everyday challenges of life. Emphasis on interactions of organisms with their environments, evolutionary change and role of natural selection in the evolution of life forms. Builds a foundation for understanding how science works, how to think critically and communicate scientifically.

Responsibilities:

• Introduce and demonstrate each week's lesson and activity for students

• Grade all assignments including quizzes, activity worksheets, student presentations, and semester-long project

• Proctor and grade exams for the lectures